Have you ever heard someone say that cats have nine lives? What's up with that? Is it true? If so, who keeps count?

To the relief of dogs everywhere, we can say without a doubt that cats have but one life to live. The “nine lives" story is just a popular myth that has been around for hundreds of years.

Myths are old stories (sometimes called "legends") that typicallyfeature a person, animal, hero, or event. Although they have no basis in fact, they usually try to explain some idea or natural phenomenon.

So where did the myth about cats having nine lives come from? No one knows for sure. We do know, though, that it's been around for a long time.

William Shakespeare refers to the nine lives myth in his play Romeo and Juliet. There is also an ancient proverb that claims, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays."

Over time, people witnessed cats survive in situations that surely would have severely injured other animals. Some people likely began to believe that cats must have multiple lives.

In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals that were worshipped as gods. Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were divine creatures with psychic or supernatural powers. The idea that they could have multiple lives fit right in with their view of cats.

But why nine lives? No one knows the answer to that one either. There are many possibilities.

For example, the ancient Egyptian sun god, Atum-Ra, was believed to take the form of a cat on visits to the underworld. Legend has it that Atum-Ra gave birth to eight other gods and thus represented nine lives in one.

Others believe the number may have come from China, where the number nine is considered lucky. The number nine — sometimes called “the trinity of trinities" — is also believed to be mystical in many religions and regions around the world.

The myth that cats have multiple lives exists in many cultures around the world. It's not always nine lives, though. Some Spanish-speaking regions believe cats have seven lives, while Turkish and Arabic legends claim cats have six lives.

What would you do if you had nine lives? Let your imagination run wild. Jot down some ideas of things you might want to do or try if you knew you would have multiple lives to live. What would some of the benefits of nine lives be? What drawbacks can you foresee? Overall, do you think it would be a good or bad thing to have multiple lives? Why? Share your thoughts with a friend or family member. What do they think?

Ready to explore some more myths? Ancient Greece was well-known for its rich mythology. Take some time to explore these Greek myths:

Wonderopolis

Ava

Jan 26, 2018

Hey Wonderopolis! This is so funny, it seems like one of my cats had 9 lives, whenever he got really sick, he just kept on getting better! Until he died. The day before my birthday. R.I.P. Goose. (Goose was my cat's name)

hailey

Feb 1, 2018

thanks ! My cat died in the chair he was under it and my family sat down and she died under the chair :(. But a week later my cat same color same leach that was on her same colar same sweater had came back i had one more test, i checked her paw for a little scar.. AND IT WAS HER YAY! Ive had her for 3 years since then. The world may never know.

Ally

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Nikita

Nov 20, 2017

I love cute kittens and I have 2 myself their names are Frosa and Tisha. Frosa is a girl and Tisha is a boy. They are both 3 years old, they are twins, and are both black and whte cats. But mostly black.

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katianna (kat)

Mar 29, 2017

hi guys my name is katianna but i would prefer kat sounds just like cat but has a k. i had many many cats as i was growing up. now i only have 2 cats because the other ones we had to get rid of. i am sad of that. got to go bye!!!!

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GoldenStar

Mar 28, 2017

There is a book series which is called "Warriors". It is about a group of cats who each live in five clans. Most of the cats who live in these clans worship Starclan, which is a clan of deceased cats. So, the clans of living cats : Skyclan; Windclan; Riverclan; Shadowclan; and Thunderclan. These clans have leaders, deputies, medicine cats, warriors, apprentices and queens and kits. I read these books and I like them. The leaders actually get nine lives so that they can lead their clan better. I think that any cat-lover should read these books!

Vickey Funssy

Khiylaa

Mar 19, 2017

Hey guys this is the truth cats do have nine lives because my friends cat died 3 times because it had cancer and it came back to life so that's the truth other people have there own opinion but I have proof bye.

Cooper L.

Wonderopolis

Jan 9, 2017

No one knows for sure, Cooper. Isn't it interesting how phrases like that stick around? We would like to know who came up with the phrase "curious as a cat." The cats we see seem kind of lazy sometimes and not that interested in what's going on. Do you have any cats?

nsnhxhed

Wonderopolis

xxYellowtailxx

Nov 8, 2016

Cats really don't have nine lives.
People only say that because they're good at running, defending, and dodging.
It is only an expression people often use.
Cats have high skill, so they find it easier living. Which makes them basically have nine lives.

Anonymous

Wonderopolis

May 18, 2016

We're glad you liked this Wonder of the Day, Wonder Friend! We encourage you to use the search feature to find other Wonders related to myths and superstitions. Check out Wonder #1504: Do Black Cats Bring Bad Luck? Have fun WONDERing! :)

Wonderopolis

LIZAtheII

Feb 18, 2016

I did not know that cats having nine lives were part of some religions! That 's very interesting. I was wondering if there are any more cat wonders because I really love cats and I rescued a kitten from a road and now I have a kitten. Thanks again, Wonderopolis!
-Your Wonder Friend, LIZAtheII

michael

Wonderopolis

Apr 19, 2015

Hi, michael! The WONDERS tells us that some believe the myth of cats having nine lives, may have come from China, not that cats originated from China. A lot of research would agree with you that cats originated in areas around Egypt. If you are interested in learning about the origin of cats, we encourage you to continue WONDERing at your library. Keep up the great WONDERing! :)

emil

Wonderopolis

Sep 14, 2015

Hi, emil! We researched the story from several sources to write this Wonder. However, it's always important to do your own research, too. We encourage you to continue to look into this old saying that cats have 9 lives. Keep up the GREAT thinking! :)

Tom Puszewski

Feb 3, 2014

What a thorough, wonderful article! It has me wondering why cats are also called felines. Wouldn't canines be more appropriate? Even fenines would be better. Hmm...wonder if we could get that changed? Hahaha, j/k of course. Everyone have a great day!

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Team Clark #5 & #17

Dec 13, 2013

Hi Wonderopolis!
We enjoyed the video and text about how different countries believe in different legends about the myth of cats having more than one life. Are there other legends about other animals with good agility that have more then one life?
Team Clark #5 & #17

Wonderopolis

Nov 11, 2013

Hi Team Caisse! Thanks for WONDERing with us! Those are some WONDERful thoughts! Have you ever WONDERed how big cats can get? Check out Wonder #807 http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-big-do-cats-get/ :)

Cool101

Wonderopolis

May 16, 2012

That's a WONDERful question, Cool101! Wonderopolis was created by some super AWESOME folks who wanted to give Wonder Friends of all ages from all over the world a FUN place to learn new things! There is a new, different, exciting Wonder of the Day® to explore each and every day! We’re glad you visited this Wonder about cats and left us this comment to let us know you were here! :-)

Maddie

Wonderopolis

Apr 27, 2012

Happy Friday, Maddie! Thanks so much for sharing with us about your cats! They are super lucky to have you to take care of them! We also liked that you love Wonderopolis...that makes us SUPER happy to hear! :-)

katie

Apr 16, 2012

I loved this wonder because I really like cats! I always wondered if the nine lives thing was real. Thanks to you, now I know! Will you make some more wonders about cats? I can't wait to read the next wonder about cats!

Wonderopolis

Apr 16, 2012

We're happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring this Wonder, Katie! Have you also visited past Wonder #231 - Why Do Cats Love Catnip? We think you will like it, too! Here is a link that will take you right to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-cats-love-catnip/. :-)

Wonderopolis

Mcneil #16

Apr 9, 2012

Hello Wonderopolis!
I really loved this topic as I do with all of your topics! In the information box I learned some new vocabulary words like, dexterity and phenomenon. I also learned that myths typically feature an animal, hero, or event. I did not know that in ancient Egypt cats were like gods. I wonder who created the myth of "Cats have nine lives?" Thanks for reading my comment bye for now!

Wonderopolis

Team Mcneil2

Apr 1, 2012

Hi Wonderopolis,
I was reading this wonder because it caught my attention. I thought that the saying "cats have nine lives" was just something someone said one day and people thought it was funny. I didn't know it was a popular legend! It's interesting that there is a proverb about cats that says "A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays." I also didn't know that in ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals and were worshiped like gods. Why were cats sacred in ancient Egypt?
Thanks Wonderopolis :-)

Wonderopolis

Apr 1, 2012

Thanks for sharing all the AWESOME things you learned by exploring this Wonder about cats, Team McNeil 2! Ancient Egyptians held many animals in high regard. We think they might have thought cats were so awesome because cats controlled mice and other pests and also killed venomous snakes. We will both have to WONDER more about cats in ancient Egypt! :-)

Team Clark 19

Mar 15, 2012

Hi,
I actually always kept thinking why people say they have 9 lives, but now I know, I thought this wonder was awesome.
I never really knew there was a god called Atum-Ra either.
I heard that some legends come true, like the mexican flag has a snake in an eagles mouth on a cactus, that picture is a legend and it came true.
Thank you for making me wonder!!
Team Clark 19 :)

Wonderopolis

Kaden

Jan 12, 2012

Dear Wonderopolis
No, cats do not have 9 lives, it's just a saying that cats know how to defend themselves really well. Once again, cats do not have 9 lives. It's just a saying cats can defend themselves 9 times.

KE$A fan

Wonderopolis

Nov 15, 2011

We're super sorry to hear about your cat, KE$A fan. We know it's sad when a pet you love and care for passes away. Sometimes, when we're feeling sad about something, it helps a lot to talk to a grown-up (like a teacher or parent) about it. When we talk about things that are bothering us or making us upset, sharing those feelings can help us feel better. Thank you for visiting Wonderopolis today and for sharing about your cat.

JakeTEAM

Oct 19, 2011

I found Wonder #264 intriguing. I have past knowledge of Ra, but I never new about his 9 entities. Nor did I have information of the Turkish or Arabic legends. For those reasons (and more), I thank Wonderopolis for this wonder.

Wonderopolis

Madster101

Oct 19, 2011

Dear Wonderopolis,
I think this article is so cool because my aunt has two cats and I think they are so cute! Also, I have been wondering if a cat has nine lives ever since I was three and heard the phrase for the first time! I am so glad I found this article to answer my question. I will for sure come to this website the next time I wonder something. My question is, does Spain believe that a cat has nine lives, or do they believe that cats have another amount of lives? Thank you for your time to read my comment and I hope that you reply back!
Sincerely,
Madster101

Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis

Oct 19, 2011

Thanks so much for this awesome comment, Madster101! We're really happy to hear that you found the answer to something you have been WONDERing about since you were young by visiting this Wonder of the Day®! When we first WONDERed about cats having nine lives, we found out that some Spanish-speaking regions believe cats have SEVEN lives, not NINE. We're sure not all Spanish-speaking regions believe this, but some do! We hope that answers your question! :-)